What are Nigerians Saying About Peter Obi?

The Nigeria 2023 election has been a significant turning point for the country’s political landscape, especially for many Nigerian youths who make up 70 percent of the population. It has marked a departure from the political apathy that has long plagued the younger generation. This newfound enthusiasm was largely fueled by the end of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency and the emergence of Peter Obi as a presidential candidate.

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However, a closer look at the events leading up to the election reveals that the desire for a new Nigeria had been brewing since 2020, following the widespread protests of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the tragic incident at the Lekki toll gate. Peter Obi’s candidacy under the PDP, which later shifted to the LP, struck a chord with many Nigerian youths who saw him as the candidate who could usher in the change, they so desperately desired.

As the election campaign gained momentum, Nigerian youths took to the streets in droves, holding up posters and placards in support of Peter Obi. Their fervor and commitment to his cause were palpable, and it was clear that they had found a candidate who resonated with their vision of a better Nigeria.

Chimamanda Adichie is a renowned Nigerian-born writer whose works have gained international acclaim. She has used her platform to advocate for a variety of social and political issues in Nigeria, including the recent presidential election. In a recent interview, Adichie shared her reasons for supporting Peter Obi.

Adichie’s support for Obi stems from her belief in his competence and ability to govern effectively. She shared that she had met many politicians who she believed were not capable of holding public office, and thus, would not earn her vote. However, she explained that her faith in Obi’s leadership abilities runs deep, as he has demonstrated his ingenuity in tackling insecurity in Anambra State during his time as governor.

Adichie’s endorsement of Obi is significant as she is a highly respected figure in Nigeria and her opinion carries a lot of weight. It is also noteworthy that Adichie is a vocal advocate for gender equality and social justice, and her endorsement of Obi suggests that she believes he is aligned with her values.

Obi’s campaign was centered on promoting good governance, reducing corruption, and improving the economy. His record as governor of Anambra State, where he initiated several development projects and reduced the state’s debt, has earned him a reputation as a competent and effective leader.

 Adichie’s endorsement of Obi is a testament to his leadership qualities and his commitment to improving Nigeria’s political landscape. As one of Nigeria’s most prominent literary figures, Adichie’s endorsement may have swayed the opinions of many voters who trust her judgment and value her opinions.

It remains to be seen how much of an impact her endorsement had on the outcome of the election, but her support for Obi underscores the importance of competent leadership in Nigeria’s political sphere.

“Why I very much admire Peter Obi, respect him, there are many others out there whom I admire and respect, and I will never vote for them for president because I don’t just think they will make the president.

And so, my support for Peter Obi is deeply rooted in real things; it is rooted in my faith in his ability. Actually, I got to know him years ago when he came to pay homage to my parents because he had heard my father was the first professor of statistics in Nigeria and that my mother had retired as the first female registrar of the University of Nigeria.” 

The writer reran her first meeting with Obi and the things she discovered about him which cultivated her support for Obi. Some weeks before, she wrote a lengthy letter to Joe Biden that the United States should not accept the declared winner of the 2023 elections as president as the election process and counting was filled with loads of irregularities that didn’t fall in line with the stipulated guidelines for the election.

In the same vein, the Niger Delta ex-militant openly opined that Obi is “the symbol of New Nigeria.”

The Nigerian youths viewed Obi as their beacon of hope, someone who could make their dreams a reality and provide opportunities for all, including graduates. They were drawn to his promise to address the country’s growing insecurity by convening a meeting with rebel groups and handling those who refused to cooperate. These promises fueled hope that the ongoing killings would cease, and garnered support from both young and old citizens alike.

Obi’s manifesto focused on issues such as the poor state of education, the high cost of living, unemployment, and a struggling economy. Despite the history of politicians making empty promises that are never fulfilled, many Nigerians believed in Obi due to his track record as a former governor of Anambra state.

He left the state with 75 billion Naira in its coffers, a testament to his financial prudence and a strong indication of what he could accomplish if he were elected president.

Victor Umeh, the leader of the party under which Obi governed Anambra, acknowledged at a press conference that Obi left a significant amount of money in the state’s treasury. This further bolstered the belief that Obi would be a responsible and trustworthy leader.

Additionally, Obi’s insistence that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate him for any corrupt acts reinforced his integrity. The eventual EFCC report clearing him of any fraudulent activity only added to his credibility.

Obi’s character appealed to a broad swath of Nigerians, from the youth to senior citizens, due to his past accomplishments, his promises to address crucial issues, and his demonstrated financial responsibility and integrity.

The Nigerian youths continue to show unwavering support for Obi as their president, even after INEC declared his opponent, Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the election. Despite this setback, the youths hold Obi in high regard as he promised to reclaim their mandate. They took to various social media platforms to expose the fraudulent actions of INEC and reveal their polling unit results.

Renowned social media influencer, Reno Omokiri, praised the Nigerian people and the “Obidients” for their resilience throughout the election process in a recent interview with Arise News. He expressed his belief that if the PDP had appointed Obi as their presidential candidate, they would have emerged victorious in the election. Additionally, Reno lauded Obi’s ability to mobilize over six million votes in just eight months after leaving the PDP.

The leaked phone call between Obi and a Christian pastor in Nigeria has sparked a controversy regarding whether Obi is a religious bigot. The conversation took place a few days prior to the election, during which Obi requested the pastor, Oyedepo, to mobilize votes from his church members. The audio leak did not dissuade Obi’s supporters, as they believed it was altered to frame him.

However, the spokesperson for LP, Kenneth Okonkwo, refuted these claims in a Twitter thread, stating that Obi was merely seeking the pastor’s help to disseminate a message to his congregation. Furthermore, Obi’s supporters argued that it was not wrong for him to ask for Christian support, as his opponent Tinubu chose a Muslim ticket, which marginalized Christians in the country.

Conclusively on What are Nigerians Saying About Peter Obi?

Conclusively, most Nigerians who are in support of Obi’s idea believe that he’ll bring to fruition all the things written in his manifesto which will no less bring about the New Nigeria that virtually everyone in the country has been dreaming of.

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